Bihar government employees and pensioners have received a financial boost ahead of Chhath Puja. At a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary on November 10, 2026, the state government approved an increase in Dearness Allowance (DA).
For employees covered under the seventh pay scale, the DA rate has been raised from 60% to 63%. The revised rate represents a 3 percentage point increase and will be effective from July 1, 2026. Eligible employees and pensioners will also receive the benefit of arrears for the applicable period.
What Is Dearness Allowance and What Has Changed?
Dearness Allowance is an additional payment provided by the government to employees to help them manage the impact of inflation and rising prices of essential goods.
It is calculated as a percentage of basic salary, which means the amount received varies from one employee to another. Employees with a higher basic salary generally receive a larger DA amount.
Under the latest Bihar government decision, the DA rate for seventh pay scale employees has increased from 60% to 63%. This adds an amount equal to 3% of basic pay to their existing DA.
The revised benefit is effective from July 1, 2026. Eligible government employees and pensioners will receive the increased amount along with applicable arrears.
How Much Extra Salary Will Employees Receive?
The additional amount will depend on an employee’s basic salary. The following examples show how the 3 percentage point DA increase will affect monthly payments.
| Basic Salary | Old DA (60%) | New DA (63%) | Monthly Increase | Annual Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ₹10,000 | ₹6,000 | ₹6,300 | ₹300 | ₹3,600 |
| ₹20,000 | ₹12,000 | ₹12,600 | ₹600 | ₹7,200 |
| ₹30,000 | ₹18,000 | ₹18,900 | ₹900 | ₹10,800 |
| ₹40,000 | ₹24,000 | ₹25,200 | ₹1,200 | ₹14,400 |
| ₹50,000 | ₹30,000 | ₹31,500 | ₹1,500 | ₹18,000 |
For instance, an employee with a basic salary of ₹20,000 previously received ₹12,000 as DA at the 60% rate. At the revised rate of 63%, the DA amount will become ₹12,600.
As a result, the combined basic salary and DA will increase from ₹32,000 to ₹32,600, giving the employee an additional ₹600 per month or ₹7,200 over 12 months.
Similarly, an employee earning ₹30,000 as basic pay will receive ₹900 more every month, while someone with a basic salary of ₹50,000 will get an additional ₹1,500 per month.
When Will Employees Receive the Increased DA and Arrears?
The revised DA rate will be calculated from July 1, 2026. Employees who have already received their salary at the previous rate will be eligible for the difference for the applicable months.
For example, an employee with a basic salary of ₹20,000 will receive an additional ₹600 for every month covered by the revision. If arrears are calculated for four months, from July to October, the total additional amount will be:
₹600 × 4 = ₹2,400
The actual arrears period and payment date will depend on the official order issued by the Bihar government.
DA Rates Also Revised for Fifth and Sixth Pay Scales
The cabinet decision also provides revised DA rates for eligible employees covered under the older pay scales.
The revised rates are as follows:
- Seventh Pay Commission: Increased from 60% to 63%.
- Sixth Pay Commission: Increased from 262% to 269%.
- Fifth Pay Commission: Increased from 483% to 497%.
Eligible employees and pensioners covered under these pay scales will also receive the benefits according to the revised rates.
What Does the DA Hike Mean for Pensioners?
The decision also covers eligible retired government employees. For pensioners, the corresponding benefit is known as Dearness Relief (DR).
The additional relief will be calculated according to the pension amount and the applicable rules. Eligible family pension recipients will also receive the benefit of the revised rates.
The actual increase in pension will depend on each beneficiary’s basic pension and the relevant provisions.
Disclaimer: This article is based on the cabinet decision details provided. The final payment calculations, arrears period and implementation schedule will be governed by the official Bihar government order. Employees and pensioners should refer to the official notification for confirmation of their individual benefits.